Product Details

• Released on: 2004-01-20
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: NTSC, Import
• Original language: English
• Running time: 85 minutes

On the DVD
ccNew uncut anamorphic widescreen transfer
Talent interviews
Original theatrical trailer

Synopsis
This uneven thriller directed by Umberto Lenzi was the final Rialto Film Company adaptation of an Edgar Wallace mystery (The Puzzle of the Silver Half-Moons), as tastes were changing and the German "krimi" genre was dying in favor of the sexier, bloodier Italian "giallo." In this awkward German-Italian co-production, Lenzi straddles the two genres with confused results. The story concerns a young man named Mario (Antonio Sabato), whose pretty wife Julia (Uschi Glass) narrowly escapes being the third victim of a maniacal killer. The police are baffled, but Julia recognizes seeing the other two victims at an old hotel on the same day several years before. There were actually seven women there on that day, and one of them left the scene of a car accident where an American named Frank Saunders bled to death. Mario tries to find out who the killer is by shaking down a gay heroin addict who later hangs himself, while the police make observations such as "All criminals are out of their minds." The solution is completely predictable, but Lenzi provides some effective suspense sequences and gore to keep it interesting. Pier Paolo Capponi, Rossella Falk, Franco Fantasia, and Carla Mancini also appear, while Marisa Mell plays twin sisters, one of whom is brutally murdered with a power-drill. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

DVD Menu

• Side #1 --
  • Play
  • Scene Access
  • Extras
    • Interview With Gabriella Giorgelli
    • Interview With Umberto Lenzi
    • Liner Notes
    • Trailers
      • Eaten Alive
      • Spasmo
      • Seven Blood Stained Orchids
    • Art Gallery

Customer Reviews

a classic little giallo!!!
seven blood stained orchids is a classic little giallo(murder mystery)no its nowhere near dario argento's deep red but it still is a classic.a giallo movie needs to make the viewer think that everyone and anyone could be the killer and or could be the guilty party.i do think that if your a fan of the genre you understand that its not a bad giallo film just because you may have guessed who the bad guy is before it ends.thats what a giallo is all about!!it keeps making you guess who and then second guess your self, if you geussed it wright you just got lucky!guessing it wright isnt so hard when you have a 5 or 6 potential bad guys!!!anyway this movie does make you try to guess who,like a giallo should!im not going to tell you anything in detail about the movie just that the black glove's and half moons are just a great slice from the 70's giallo genre.good corney budget murder scenes some decent sexy scenes classic umberto lenzi work!directing camera what ever...it was all good.i just loved it!! and im sure if your a true giallo fan you will enjoy having this CLASSIC LITTLE GIALLO in your collection.dvd comes out looking great!!hurry up and get this one before you cant anymore!!!!!

Decent Giallo for euro-trash fanatics
This 1971 giallo from Umberto Lenzi has never been released in the US in any form until this welcome Shriek Show release. The film itself is somewhat average as far as giallos go - the cinematography is nice, there's a black-gloved killer, some violent murder scenes (one with a power drill!), and some nudity to spice things up ---- but the mystery itself is pretty substandard and doesn't really have much punch. I also guessed the killer the first time that character appeared on screen - maybe I've just seen too many of these things.

Still, if you're a giallo fanatic or euro trash junkie, this disc is a no-brainer and you need to buy it. The anamorphic transfer looks great (bar some minor EE and shimmering around vertical lines or plaid clothing) and there's another great score by Riz Ortolani that will have you groovin' in no time. Extras include a 10 minute interview with Lenzi and a short interview with one of the female victims. Plus, the trailer and one for "Spasmo" and "Eaten Alive", liner notes, and a brief "art gallery".

So, it may not be one of the best giallos out there, but it still has a lot to offer. Check it out.

I can't believe this obscure giallo is on DVD.
This prime slice of Euro trash is arguably director Umberto Lenzi's (Make Them Die Slowly) best film. It's a giallo (murder mystery) from 1971 with enough plot twists, nudity, violence and atmosphere to keep a fan happy. It's doesn't approach the stylish quality of Mario Bava or Dario Argento's work but it's still fun.

The plot is actually coherent and exists as more than just window dressing for the set-pieces. The requisite leather gloved killer leaves silver half moons on his victims just after he's killed them in a typically brutal fashion (strangulation, bludegeoning, drilled). Pretty actors run around doing silly things to solve the mystery and it's actually tense and suspenseful in spots.

The disc is quite nice: clean print, solid anamorphic scope transfer. Brief interviews and on-screen liner notes compliment it. If you're a giallo fan this is a good buy. And it's a decent start for those with a burdgeoning interest in this odd, very compelling genre.